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  1. Voltage-gated ion channels

    Voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) are responsive to changes in the local electrical membrane potential, and are critical for the function of excitable cells, such as neurons and muscle cells. VGICs are ion-selective, with separate channels identified for each of the major physiological ions- Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-. Each type of channel is a multimeric complex of subunits encoded by a number of genes. Subunit combinations vary in different tissues, with each combination having distinctive voltage dependence and cellular localization.

    efaccena - 24/02/2016 - 3:26pm

  2. Calcium channel blocking drugs

    Calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) are prescribed to treat hypertension. These drugs interfere with the inward movement of calcium ions through the slow channels on the membranes of myocardial cells, AV node cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. The overall effect is to reduce myocardial contractility, formation and propagation of electrical impulses within the heart, and vascular tone.

    There is a wide variety of CCB medications available to prescribers, including single agent medicines and fixed-dose combination drugs.

    smaxwell - 10/10/2014 - 9:08am

  3. Hypertension

    Elevated blood pressure (BP) is the product of increased cardiac output (CO) and peripheral vascular resistance (PVR). Increased CO may result from increased fluid volume from excess sodium intake or renal sodium retention, stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), or activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Functional constriction or structural hypertrophy of the vasculature increases PVR. Both result from excess stimulation of the RAAS, SNS overactivity, genetic alterations of cell membranes, or endothelial-derived factors.

    efaccena - 06/05/2019 - 1:49pm

  4. Acute ischemic stroke (AIS)

    Acute ischemic stroke is caused by thrombotic or embolic occlusion of a cerebral artery, which leads to a sudden loss of blood circulation to a focal area of the brain. This results in a corresponding loss of neurologic function. The text that follows has been summarized and adapted from a transcript written by Amanda Dippold as part of her clinical pharmacology training.

    efaccena - 14/08/2018 - 10:32am